Title: Identify biopsychosocial needs of the patient.
Course: Surgical Technologist I (14056-I) > Section: Communicating in the Healthcare Workplace

Identification should include biopsychosocial needs related to fear, anxiety, and spirituality, as well as needs across the lifespan (e.g., patients with disabilities, patients with mental health impairments, patients from a variety of cultural backgrounds). Identification should state the importance of providing support for each patient in accordance with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, to include

- physiological and biological needs
- safety needs
- need for love and belonging
- need for self-esteem
- need for self-actualization.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are basic human physical needs? Why is it important for the surgical technologist to apply knowledge of basic human physical needs when working with patients?
- Why must medical professionals acknowledge the importance of a patient’s spiritual health?
- What is the role of the “healing touch” as it relates to the surgical team?